Railway switch operating apparatus



Feb. 26, 1935. w. 1.. STOUT RAILWAY SWITCH CPERATING APPARATUS 3 SheetsSheet 2 Filed March 2, 1934 INVENTOR A wall?! L. Stout 7 Fig. 2.

H16 ATTORNEY W, L. STOUT RAILWAY SWITCH OPERATING APPARATUS F eb. 26, 1935.

Filed March 2, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 2 1 0 7 0 Z 1 m Y all w 4 .IIIIHH O 0 1 l/ 6 5 m a I W m u ml w M 7 I 9 L? J Fig. 6

INVENTOR (Ualle L Szoal BY QJX HIS ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 26, 1935 uni-Iran 45 1 ATE O FIC a r 1,992,551 v v RAILWAY SWITCH OPERATING APPARATUS Walter L. Stout, Swissvale, Pa., assignor to The Union Switch & ,Signalv Company, Swissvale, .Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application March 2, 1934, Serial No. 113,599

16 Claims. (Cl. 2'46--1358)v '-My invention relates to railway switch operating apparatus, and particularly to manually controlled switch operating apparatus for switches of the type which aredesigned tobe trailed.

Specifically, my'present invention relates to improvements in :railway switch operating apparatus of the type disclosed and claimed in Let ters Patent :of the United States, No. 1,976,830, grantedtmHerbertL. Bone and William C. Mc- Whirter, on Oct. v-16, -1934,and also to improvements in railway switch operating apparatus of the type. disclosed, and claimedin an application forfLetters Patent of the United States, Serial No. 693,626,:filedby Herbert L. Bone on Oct. 14,

Oneobject of ;-my invention is to provideapparatus of'the type described including means for locking the switch in both extreme positions for facing point moves over the switch in such mannor that if a train trails the switch when the switch occupies either extreme position, the switch will become automatically unlocked by means -mechanically actuated by the wheels of the train, andwill remain unlocked until the train is completely pastrthe switch,- after which the :switch will again become locked in the extremepositionwhich it previously occupied.

Other objects of my invention will become apparent as the description proceeds.

I will describe two forms of apparatus embodying .my invention, andlwill then point out the novel features thereof in claims.

In theaccompanying drawings, Fig. l is a top plan view showing a railway switch A provided with one form of switch operating apparatusembodying my invention. Fig. 2-is an'enlarged view, partly in section and partly in elevation,of-the switch operating mechanism 13 forming partof the apparatus shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is .a sectional view. taken substantially on the line-III-III of Fig.2. Fig. 4 is an enlarged front elevational view of a portion of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1."'Fig. 5 is a top plan view showing a modified form of the apparatus illustrated inFig. 1. Fig. 6 is a front elevational view of a portion of the apparatus shown in Fig. 5. a

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts in each of the several views. 1

'Referring'first to Fig. 1, the-reference character A designates a railway switchicomprising, as usual, two .fixed rails ,1 and 1 and two movable-rails 2.and 2 The fixed rails 1 and 1 are laid ontie plates 3 and are secured to crossties tin the usual manner. The movable rails 2'and 2 are fastened together by agfron't rod ;5,-a,head rod 6, abridle rodl'iand a tie rod 8,-and may be moved into a normal or reverse position by means of an operating rod 9 which is connected with the head rod 6 through themedium of the usual switch basket 10. When theswitch occupiesits normal position in which it is shown in Fig. 1', the movable rail 2. engages the fixed rail 1, and themovable rail 2% is spaced a slight distance from thefixed rail 1%. When the switch is reversed, however, the movablerailZf then; engages the-fixed rail-1 andthe movable rail;2 is spaced-from the "fixed rail 1. Associated with the switch A is a switch'opcrating mechanism B comprising a main casing 11 which is bolted or spiked to the ties'4 adjacent-theouter side of the rail 1, and an auxiliary casing1'2 which" is bolted. to the left-hand end of the casing :11. ,The 'mainycasing- 11 is provided with a removable cover 13, while the auxiliary casing 12 is provided with. a removable cover '14.

Extending downwardly throughthemain casing '11 isarotata'blespindle or switch actuating shaft 16, and attached-to the lower: endof this shaft is'an. adjustable crank 1'7 which is pivotally connected with the previously describedoperatling rod 9, the parts being so proportioned that rotation of the shaftlfithrough anangle .of approximately'90" will move the switch between'its normal and reverse positions. e

"The lower portion of the shaft 16', 'that'is,the portion within the casing 11, is made roundjand is journaled' in a bearing 18 provided inithe bottom of the casing 11; and ina star block 19,*which in turn, is journaled in. a bearing 20 formed in the top of the casing 11. The. portion of the shaft 16 above the top of. the star block bearing, however, is made square, and has a somewhat smaller cross-sectional area than the lowerportion of..the'

shaft.

. Securedto the square portion of 'the'shaft 16 is asquare sleeve 21, and slidablymounted onthis sleeve isan outer sleeve 22 which is provided with a square opening to receive the inner sleeve so that both sleeves and the'shaft are'constrainedto'rotate together.

; When the outer sleeve 22 occupies its lowermost positionon the inner sleeve; in" which positio'nit is shown in the drawings, a squared portion 23 formed, on the lower end of the outer sleeve entersfa squared recess or socket 24formed in the upper endof .the star .block 19, and underthese.

conditions, the outer sleeve, and hence theshaft 16, is connectedwith the starlolock, so that any rotation of the shaft-Will cause corresponding rotation of the star block. When, however, the

outer sleeve 22 is moved to an upper position on the inner sleeve, the squared portion 23 on the lower end of the outer sleeve becomes disengaged from the socket 24 in the star block, and the two sleeves and the shaft are then free to rotate as a. unit independently of the star block.

The outer sleeve 22 is arranged to be moved between its two extreme positions by means of a hand lever 27 which also serves as a means for rotating the switch actuating shaft 16 between its two extreme positions. This lever is bifurcated at one end, and the bifurcations theerof are disposed on opposite sides of a squared portion formed at the upper end of the outer sleeve, and are pivoted at their free ends on a pin 28 mounted in a lug 29 formed on the inner sleeve 21. Each bifurcation extends between a pair of lugs 30 which are secured to the associated side of the outer sleeve 22, only one pair of lugs being visible in the drawings. The parts are so proportioned that when the lever 27 is rotated about the pin 28 to the depending position in which it is shown in the drawings, the outer sleeve 22 will be moved to its lowermost position on the inner sleeve, but that, when the lever is rotated about the pin 28 to asubstantially horizontal position, theouter sleeve will then be moved to its upper position on the inner sleeve. It follows'that the switch actuating shaft 16 will be connected with, or disconnected from, the star block 19 according as the lever 27 occupies its depending or its horizontal position, and that, when the lever occupies its horizontal position, the shaft 16 may be rotated between its two extreme positions to move the switch points to their corresponding extreme positions by rotating the lever about the axis of the shaft, without causing rotation of thestar block.

When the hand lever 27 occupies its depending position, which position is its normal position, it may be locked in this position by placing a padlock 51 or other suitable locking device through a hole 52 formed in; the outer end of a lug 52-which is fastened to the outer sleeve 22, and which passes through a suitable slot 53 in the lever 27.

A suitable signal, here shown as a pair of vanes 31, positioned with respect to each other in plan view, is fastened to the upper endof the switch actuating shaft 16, and serves to accurately indicate at all-times the position of the switch.

The star block 19 is constantly biased to the position in' which it is shown in the drawings by means of two biasing devices 32 and 33 which are disposed on opposite sides of the star block, as best seen in Fig. 3. These biasing devices are similar, and a description of one will therefore, suflice for both; Referring particularly to the biasing device 32, this biasing device comprises a rod or bolt 34 supported at one end in a wall of the casing 11, and at the other end in an upright support 35 provided on the bottom of the casing 11. Two sleeves 36 and 37 provided with annular flanges 36 and 37 respectively, are slidably mounted on the bolt 34 with their flanges 36 and 37; facing each other, and positioned on the bolt between these sleeves is a coil spring 38 which biases these sleeves to the position in which the outer end of the sleeve 36engagesoneof a. pair of thrust washers 39 interposed between the sleeve and the side wall of the casing 11, and in which the outer end of the sleeve 37 engages one of a pair of thrust washers 40 interposed between this sleeve and the support 35. Surrounding the sleeves 36 and 37 and the spring 38 is a third sleeve 41 having a flange 42 at one end which engages the outer side of the flange 37 of the sleeve 37, and a removable flange 43 at the other end which engages the outer side of the flange 36 of the sleeve 36. An upwardly projecting lug 44 is secured to the outer sleeve 41 as shown in Fig. 3.

The lug 44 on the biasing device 32 extends upwardly between two rollers 45 and 46 which are ,journaled between suitable spaced lugs formed on the star block 19, and the lug 44 on the outer sleeve of the biasing device 33 similarly extends upwardly betweentwo rollers 49 and 50 which are also journaled between the lugs on the star block, the'four rollers 45, 46, 49 and 50 being disposed at the four corners of a rectangle. The lugs 44 are adapted to slide along ribs 44 cast on the side of casing 11.

With the biasing devices constructed and connected with. the star block in the manner just described, it will be apparent that rotation of the star block 19 in either direction from the posi tion shown will cause the lugs 44 on the outer sleeve 22 of the two biasing devices 32 and 33 to rotate in opposite directions, thus compressing the springs within the biasing devices. It follows, thatwhen the star block has been rotated away from theposition shown,-as soon'as the force which caused the rotation of the star block is removed, the springs will act to restore the star block to the position shown.

For reasons which will become apparent as the description proceeds, it is desirable to prevent the biasing devices from returning the star block to the position shown at too rapid a rate after the star block has been moved away from this position, without interfering with the rotation of the star block away from the position shown. For this purpose, the star block is pivotally connected with the piston rod 55 of a dash pot or buffing device 56, the cylinder 57 of which is pivotally attached to the hight-hand wall of the casing 11 by means of a pin58 and a lug 59. The bufling device 56 forms no part of my present invention, and may be of any suitabletype which will allow free and unrestricted movement of the piston rod out of the cylinder, but which will retard movement of the piston rod into the cylinder. As here shown, this bufiing device is similar in all respects to the bufiing device shown and described in Letters Patent of the United States No. 1,830,803, granted to William C. McWhirter, on Nov. 10, 1931, for Railway switch operating apparatus, and it is believed to unnecessary therefore to describe it in detail here.

Reciprocably mounted in the bottom of the casing 11 is a locking device'60 which in the particular embodiment of my invention here illus trated, comprises two spaced end members 60 and 60' (see Fig. 3) connected together by means of a pair of spaced stud bolts 60 and 60 The left-hand end member 60 is provided on its lefthand side with an integral rectangular locking plunger 60 while the right-hand end member 60 is provided with a centrally located hole 60 The locking plunger 60 is mounted to slide'in a guideway 61 formed on the bottom of the casing 11, and is adapted to cooperate with a lock rod L which is slidably mounted in the casing 11 at right angles to the locking plunger. The lock rod L is of standardconstruction and comprises two'longitudinally adjustable bars 63 and 64 attached at one end to the front rod 5 of the switch A, and provided with two sets of registering notches, the notches of the one set each being designated by the reference characters 65, and

negates the notches-of the otherset eachibeing designated :by the reference characters 65 2. The registering =notches 65 and 65 are so disposed in :the 'bars'63 -.-and- 64,' and the bars are sozadjusted; that the notches 65%- will align with the "locking plunger 560 when :and .only when the switch :occupies .its z-normal extreme Iposition :inwhich it shown .in the drawings, and that the notches 165* will :align rwith zthe locking :plungerlwhen :and :only when the switch occupies it's reverse extreme position. The'lo'cking device ;60.:is :arranged 1to"be:moVed, in .axmanner which I will describe hereinafter, between a .left 'handextreme positiongin which the locking plunger .enters the notches 65* or in the dock rod L; andla right-hand extreme position in which. the :locking plunger is withdrawn from bothisets of notches, and itwill be apparent :that :when t the locking plunger oc- .cupiesits"leftehandxextreme position the switch will :be :securely locked-win the extreme position whichit then occupies, but that when the locking plunger occupies. itsright-hand extreme position,the switch will then be unlocked.

- Theqbolt membersand -60 of the locking .TdEViCB .60'xarexslidably-mounted jadjacenttheir right-hand ends in suitable lugs %66 and 67, respectively, whichproject upwardly from the bottom of themain casing 11,;and surrounding each :bolt member :between theend member 66 and the associated lug 66 or 6'! is va .pa-rtly compressed coil spring I68 which constantlybiases the. locking device 60 to .its left-hand extreme position.

Abell crank lever -69 is pivoted on a pin 70 mountedin a pair of spaced lugs 71 projecting from the :side of the casing. 1-1", ;'and the one arm 69 :thereo,f extends downwardly and is provided at its lowerend with-a roundedportionfis which cooperates with the left-hand side of thewend member GO -in a manner which will be: described hereinafter. The other arm GQ -of'the bell crank lever 69 extends toward the right and is ,pivotally connected rat its free end-by means of aipin 72 :and an adjustable screwjaw- '73, with the lower end-of a vertical connecting rod- 74;.

The connecting rod 74 isshaped asshown, and comprises, in addition to. the screw-threaded lower end which .receivesthe screw .jaw 73, .an integral offset portions??? which is rectangular in cross-section. 'ihisoffset portion extends upwardly with a sliding fit through a rectangular :guideway 75 formed in the top wall of the casing 11, :and is provided .at its upper endwith arlateral extension 74 whichioverlies and-cooperates with, annular flan e 7.? f'ormedon the sliding sleeve 22. directly above the squared portion 23. v A twopiece collarg'lB is bolted to the sliding sleeve 22 some distance above the annular flange 77 and lateral extension 74*, and-extending downwardly from this collar is (an integral-frusto-conical hood 7 9,whioh completelyencloses the upper-part of the ofiset portion 7& of @the connecting rod 74 and the annular-flange .77, thuslprotecting these parts from dirt. moisture, snow, etc.

The lower end 74 of the offset portion 7st of the connecting rod 74 overlies and wcooperates with a cam member 80 formed integrally with the star block '19. This cam member has a semicircular periphery and its'upper surface curves downwardly from each end toward thecenten as shown in Fig. 2. Only one half-of this cam member is visible in Fig. 2, because the other half is directly back of the-half shown but the halt which is not visible is similar to the half which is visible.

'"The parts aresoproportione'd that when the sliding'sleeve 22 occupies its lowermostiposition, and the star block 19 occupies ttheipositionato 'Which-it isibiased by. the biasing devices .sztand 33; as-shown in the drawings, the connecting rod 74 will move :by gravity to the position "in" which it is shown in thedrawings', which positionl shall hereinafter refer to as its lowermost position.

The parts arefurther so proportioned that when v end member 60 of the locking device 60 if the locking device were then moved to its extreme left-hand position by the-biasing springs '68.

The locking'device 60jin addition tobeing operatively'connected with the sliding sleeve 22 and the star block 19 in the-manner just described,

is also operatively connected with the previously described tie rod 8 by means of linkage embodying my present invention which linkage I will now describe. Ashere shown, this linkage includesa plunger bolt 81 (see Fig. 2) which extends with some clearance through'the hole 60 inthe' end member 60 of the locking device 60, and the head of which plunger bolt cooperates with "the left-hand side of the end member 60'. The threaded right-hand end of the plunger bolt '81 is adjustably co-nnected by means of a-turn buckle -82-(see Fig. 1), with one end of 'alink 83, the otherend of which is secured'ito a U- shaped member 84 (see Fig. '4). The U-shaped member 84 is disposed with its one leg 84 directly above the other leg 84*, and is guided to slide longitudinallyon the bed plate 15 by means of rollers 85 mounted on suitable pins which are journaled at'their lower ends in the bed plate, and at their upper ends in a t'op'plate 86 which is bolted to the bedplate in parallel spaced relation, asshown in Fig. 4. angles to the U-shaped member 84 between the legs 84 and 84 thereof, and guided forlongitudinal sliding'movement by means of the same rollers 85 which guide the U-shaped member 84, is a cam plate 8'7 provided with a cam slot 88. The cam slot '88is formed with a portion at each end which isinclined to the direction otmovemerit of the cam plate, and withan intermediate connecting portion which is parallel to the direction of movementof the cam plate, :and this cam slot cooperates with a roller '89 fastened to 'a -pin9 0 which is journaled at its opposite ends in the legs of the U-shapedmeniberS-i. Thecam plate-87 is operatively connected by means of a bar 91 with one end of a lever 92 which is pivotally mounted intermediate its ends in acrank stand eli and which is operatively connected at its 'free end with the previously described tie rod 8, by meansof an operating rod 94 and a standard switch basket 95. a

Theparts are so proportioned that if the motion plate 87 is moved upwardly to the extreme position in which the roller 89 engages the lower end of the inclined lower portion of the cam slot 88, or downwardly to the extreme position in which the roller engages the'upper end of theinclinedupper portionof the cam slot, the plunger bolt 81' will be movedtoward the left far enough to permit the locking device to move to .theextreme position towhichit is biased by thesprings Extending at right 68, but that, if the motion plate is moved to any position in which the roller 89 occupies the straight central portion of the cam slot, the plunger bolt 81 will then be moved toward the right to a position in which its head will engage the end member 60 of the locking device and move the locking device to its unlocking position. The parts are further. so proportioned that when the movable. rails of the switch are moved to their proper normal positions, the motion plate will not be moved to its extreme upper'position, but will be moved toward this position far enough to cause the roller'89 to enter the inclined lower portion of the cam slot and move the plunger bolt 81 toward the left to a position in which it will arrest the movement of the locking device by the biasing springs 68 when the locking device has I .been moved to what I shall term its proper looking position, and that when the movable rails are moved to their proper reverse positions the motion plate will not be moved to its extreme lower position, but will'be moved toward this latter position far enough to cause the roller 89 to enter the inclined upper portion of the cam slot and move the plunger bolt toward the left to the same position to which it is moved when the movable rails of the switch are moved to their proper normal positions. For convenience I shall hereinafter refer to the position which the.motion plate 87 occupies when the movable rails occupy their normal positions as the normal position of the motion plate, and the position which the motion plate 87 occupies when the movable rails of the switch occupy their proper reverse positions as the reverse position of the motion plate.

The apparatus will usually also be provided with a circuit controller C including means for indicating when the locking device 60 is in its proper locking position for either facing point or trailing moves over the switch in both extreme positions of the switch, and means for indicating when the movable rails which should be in close engagement with the associated fixed rail in either extreme position of the switch is in proper engagement with such fixed rail. This circuit controller is located in the casing 12 of the mechanism B and may be of any suitable type. As here shown, this circuit controller is similar in all respects to the circuit controller shown in the previously referred to copending Bone and McWhirter application, Serial No. 668,198, and since it forms no part of my present invention, it is deemed unnecessary to describe it herein.

The operation of the apparatus, as a whole, is as follows: As shown in the drawings, the movable rails of the switch A occupy their normal extreme positions and the hand lever 2'7 is locked in its depending position by means of the padlock 51. Under these conditions, the sliding sleeve 22 is held in its lowermost position on the inner sleeve 21, and the star block 19is accordingly connected with the switch actuating shaft 16, so that the biasing devices 32 and 33 are effective to bias the movable rails of the switch to their normal positions. Furthermore, under these conditions, the connecting rod 74 is held in its lowermost position by gravity, and the cam plate 87 is held in its normal position by the linkage which connects the cam plate with the tie rod 8; and as a result, the locking device 60 is held in its locking position by the biasing springs 68, so that the switch is securely locked in its normal extreme position.

I will now assume that it is desiredto reverse switch A. To do. this, padlock 51 is first removed I its lowermost position in which it is shown in the drawings to its uppermost position, and as was previously pointed out, when the sliding sleeve 22 is moved to its uppermost position, the squared portion 23*on the lower end of this sleeve becomes disengaged from the socket 24 in the upper end of thestar block 19, thus disconnecting the star block, and hence the biasing devices 32 and 33 and the bufiing device 56 from the switch actuating shaft 16, so that the switch actuating shaft is then free to rotate without any opposition from the biasing and buffing devices- Furthermore, when the sliding sleeve 22 is moved to its uppermost position, the annular flange 77 on the lower end of this sleeve cooperates with the lateral extension 74 on the connecting rod 74 to move the connecting rod '74 to its uppermost position, and this movement of the connecting rod, in turn, acts through the bell crank lever 69 to move the locking device 60 from its locking position in which it is shown in the drawings to an unlocking position in which the locking plunger 60 is completely withdrawn from the notches 65 in the lock rod L, thus unlocking the switch. The biasing and bufling devices now being disconnected from the switch actuating shaft, and the switch being unlocked, the hand lever 27 is next rotated, in the horizontal plane which it then occupies, through an angle of approximately 90 in a counter-clockwise direction. This intermediate movement of the hand lever rotates the switch actuating shaft 16 to the extreme position opposite to that in which it is shown in the drawings, thereby reversing the movable rails of the switch in the manner previously described. As the movable rails move to their reverse position, the cam plate 87 is moved from its normal position in which it is shown in the drawings to its reverse position, thus causing the plunger bolt 81 to first move toward the right from the position in which it is shown in the drawings, and then to be restored to the position in which it is shown in the drawings. This movement of the plungerbolt, under these conditions, however, has no effect on the remainder of the apparatus since the locking device is then held in its unlocking position by the bell crank lever 69 in the manner previously described. The switch points now being fully reversed, the hand lever 27 is next restored to its depending pos' ion. This final movement of the hand lever,

of course, restores the sliding sleeve 22 to its lowermost position, thus reconnecting the star block 19 with the switch actuating shaft, and at the same time permitting the connecting rod '74 to return to its lowermost position. As the connecting rod 74 returns to its lowermost position, the biasing springs 68 move the locking device 60 toward the left from its unlocking position to its locking position in which the locking plunger 60 now enters the aligned notches 65 in the lock rod, thus securely locking the switch in its reverse position. After the hand lever has been restored to its dependingposition, it may, if desired, be relocked in this position by again inserting the padlock 51 in the hole 52 in the lug 52.

If, whenthe switch has been moved to its reverse position, in the manner just described, it is desired to restore the switch to its normal position, thehand lever 2'1 is first raised from its deaces-set pending position to its horizontal position, and is thenrotated inaclo'ckwise direction through an angle of 90" as viewed in Fig. 1', and is finally restored to' its depending position and relock'ed this position. The operation of the various partsof the apparatus, under these conditions, is just the reverse of that described above, and will be readily understood from the foregoing description and from an inspection of the-drawings without' further description.

I will now assume that the parts arein their normal positions, as shown in the drawings,- and that a-tr ain trails the switch. As the leading wheels'of the train roll along-the fixed-rail 1- and movable rail 1, the movable rails 2 and 2 are forced over laterally, but before a sufficient force is developed at thepoints of these rails to overcome the opposing force ofthe biasing devices 32 and33- and cause the point-of the movable rail 2'to' move out of engagement with the fixed" rail 1, the movable rails being somewhat-resilient become bent,-so that with the usual standard split switch the tie rod 8 will be moved upwardly as viewedin Fig. 1, three-fourths of aninch' or more. This movement of the tie rod 8 acts through the operating rod 94, lever 92 and bar 91 to move thecamplate 8'7 downwardly from its normal position in which it is shown in the drawings to a position in'which the roller 89 is forced out of the inclined lower end of the cam slot 88 and into the straight central portion of the cam slot, and as was previously pointed out when the roller 89 is' forced out of theinclined lower end of the cam slot and into the central portion of the cam slot, the link 83 and plunger bolt 81 are moved'to the right farenough to move the locking device from its locking position to its unlocking position, in which latterposition the locking plunger 60 is completely withdrawn from the alignednotches in the lock rod, thus unlocking the switch. As a-result, when the leadingwheels ofthe train have-reached the positions in which a sufficient force is developed'at the points ofthe movable rails to cause thepoin't of the movable rail 2 to move outof engagement with the fixed rail 1, the

movable ra'ils will be unlocked; and themovable rails will therefore be forced away from their normaPpositionsbythe wheels of'the train inexactly the same manner as they wouldbe-if no point lock were provided: The movementof the movable rails awayfrom their normal positions acts through-the operating rod 9 and crank '17 to rotate'the'switch actuating shaft 16 in a counterclockwise direction, and this rotation of the shaft 16, in turn, rotates the associated'sleeves 21 andvices32' and 33, but acts to retard movement of the star block bythe biasing devices. It willbe seen, therefore, that the buifing device 56 will not opposethe movement of the movable rails away from their normal position, but will prevent too rapidmovernent of the movable rails toward their normal'position by the biasing devices 32 and 33,

thus preventingthe quickreturn of the movable 751i rails to their normal position between the passage (if the successive whlsof the train; 7 The lota j, t'iori or the star block 19 furthercauses thec m throtate;'whichrotation, dueto the'sha'peflof' thicalfi o; rorce's the conne tin iOd u ward: 13* from its normal position. The? parts are so proportioned that i this upward movement of the connecting rod-will rotate" the bell crank ever 69 iii-a counter -clockwis'e direction to such-a p6 s'itibri that, if the "switch points are forced to their run reverse p'ositiofi by the'trailihg train, thereby causing the lock rool L to be moved'to the posifirm in Whichthe hotjches 65 align with the locking plunger GO -of the locking device" 60, and the-plunger-bolt 81 to be movedto its normal, posit'io'n' due'to the roller 89 beingforced into the iriclineduppe'rend of the cam slot 88 in the meme plate, the bell crank lever 69 will engage the locking device and" will prevent the biasing spririgsGS fromniovingthe locking device to its lock-ingp'osition. After the train has completely passed" theswitch; the displacing force of the wheels will, of course; be removed, and-the springs of thebiasingdevices 32 and 33 will then slowly 'itsfull -normal position, the plunger bolt will be restored to it's normal position in which it is shown inthe drawings; As the plunger bolt moves towardthe'left, thebiasing springs 68'rnov'e'the locking device toward its normal; position, and since thereis no defiection of themovable rails under these conditions, the locking plunger will" bemoved'intoengagement with the side of' the lockrod before the movable rails have reache'd tli ei'rffull' normal position in which the notches 65?" inthelockrod'aligli'with the locking plunger. I

As a"'res 1 1lt,=after"the locking plunger has once;

moved into" engagement with, the side of the'lock rod; the locking plunger; will slide along the" side of" the lock rod" until the notches 65 move into v alignmentwith thelocking plunger, at which time, the energy stored in the compressed springs 68 will force -thelocking plunger to itsnormal lock-' ingpo'sition thusrestorin'g the switch to its normal locked condition? When the switch has been restored to it'snormal' locked condition, all parts will then be restored to "their" normal positions which they'areshown in thedi awings. v p

The operation'of the apparatus'when the switch occupies itsreverseposition and a train trails the switchis similar -to that whichtakes place when the switchoccupie's its normal position and a train trails the switch, and itis bel-ieved, therefore, that thisoper'ation will'bereadily understood from the foregoing and from an inspection of the drawings witl'i o'u't further detailed description.

'Ihe tiProdBmay-be located at any suitable 10- cation between the heel and the toe of the switch butwi-ll preferably be' locatedin such a position that the-movab1erails of the'switch iat the point" where the tie rod is connected with'th'emwill not" be forced fromeither'extreme positionto thev other extreme position by a trailing train until adjustment or develop lost motion for any reason,

after the train has first caused the switch points to open. The reason for locating the tie rod 8 in suchaposition is to insure that after the switch pointshave become unlocked by a trailing train forcing the roller 89 out of one inclined end or the other of the cam slot 88 and into the central portion of thecam slot, the cam'plate will not continue to movefar enough to permit the roller 89 to enter the opposite end of the cam slot and cause the switch to become relocked before the switch points are forced open. I g

It should be particularly pointed out that with the apparatus constructed'in the'manner described if the'linkage which connects the looking device with the tie rod 8 should get out of the locking device device would either be prevented from moving to its proper locking position, or would be moved beyond its properlocking position, when the -movable rails were moved to their proper normal or reverse positions, and since the circuit controller C includes means for indicating when the locking device is in its proper locking position under these conditions, the circuit controller would then give an indication that the parts were not in proper working order, thus avoiding any possibility of a dangerous condition existing. I I

Referring now to Figs. and 6, I have here showna modified form of linkage for connecting the locking device 60 with the tie rod 8. As here illustrated, the link 83 instead of being connected with the U-shaped member 84, as shown in Fig. 1, is pivotally connected with one end of a lever 9'7 which is pivotally mounted intermediate its ends on a pin 100 mounted in two spaced plates 101 and 102 secured to the bed plate 15. The free end of the lever 9'7 is provided with a roller 103 which cooperates with two spaced notches'104 and 105 provided in a cam plate 106. The cam plate 106 is guided for longitudinal sliding movement between rollers 107 mounted on pinsjournaled inthe plates 101 and 102, and is secured at the end next therail 1 to the pre-, viously described connecting rod 94. The parts are so proportioned that the roller 103 will enter the notch 104 when and only when the movable railsof the switch occupy their proper normal position in which they are shown in the drawings, and that the roller 103 will enter thenotch 105 when and onlywhen the movable rails of the switch occupy their proper reverse position. The parts are further so proportioned that when the roller 103 enters either the notch 104 or the notch 105, the plunger bolt 81 will then be moved toward the left to a position in which it will arrest the movement of the locking device 60 by the biasing springs 68 when the locking device has been moved to its normal locking position, but that,-when the roller 103 is forced out of both of the notches 104 and 105 the plunger bolt-8l will then be moved toward the right to a position in which it holds the locking device- 60 in its unlocking position; 7

The operation of the apparatus as a whole when the locking device 60 is connected with the tie rod 8 by means of the modified form of linkage shown in Figs. 5 and 6 is similar to .thatpre- ,viously described when the locking device 60 is as a whole when constructed as shown in Figs. 5

and'6 will be readily understood from the fore- L9 a 1i going description and from an' inspection of thedrawing without-further detailed description.

One advantage of apparatus embodying my invention is that it provides simple means for locking a spring switch in both extreme positions of the switch for facing point moves over the switch in such manner that when a train trails the switch, the switch will become automatically unlocked until the train has completely passed the switch, after which the switch will become relocked,- and at the same time insures that the switch will not become improperly locked when it is moved from one extreme position to another extreme position by a trailing train;

Although I have herein shown and described only twoforms of railway switch operating apparatus embodying my invention, it is understood that various changes andmodifications may be made therein within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is: 4

1. In combination, a spring switch, means for actuating said switch between its two extreme positions, locking means biased to a single looking position and movable to its locking position when and only when said switch occupies an extreme position corresponding to the position of said switch actuating means and effective when moved to its locking position for locking the switch in the extreme position which it then occupies, and means mechanically actuated by a train trailing said switch in'either extreme position of the switchfor'actuating said locking means from its locking position to an unlocking position to unlock the switch until after the train has completely passed the switch.

2. In combination, a spring switch, "means fo actuating said switch between its two extreme positions, locking means biased to a single locking position and movable to its locking position when andonly when said switch occupies an extreme position corresponding to the position of said switch actuating means and effective when moved to its locking position for locking the switch in the extreme position which it then occupies, and means responsive to the lateral bending of the rails which takes place when a train trails the switch'in either extreme position of the switch before a suificient forceis developed at the points of the rails to move the closed point away from the associated fixed rail for actuating said locking means from its locking position to an unlocking position to unlock the switch until after the train has completelypassed the switch.

3. In combination, a spring switch means for actuating said switch between its two extreme positions, locking means biased to a single lockin position andmovable to its locking position when and only when said switch occupies an extreme position corresponding to the position of said switch actuating means and effective when moved to its locking position for locking the switch in the extreme position which it then occupies, a tie rod connecting the rails at a point intermediate the heel and the point of the switch, and means connecting said tie rod and said locking means and effective when a train trails the switch in either extreme position of the switch for actuating said locking means to unlock the switch while the train is, trailing the switch. 7

4.111 combination, a spring switch, means for actuatingsaid switch between its two extreme positions, locking means biased to a single lockingposition and I movable to as locking position when and only when said switch occupies an ex.- treme position corresponding to the-position of said switch actuating means and effective when moved to its locking positionfor lockingithe. switch in the extreme position which it thenoccupies, a tie rod connecting 1 the rails at a point intermediate the heel and the point of the switch, and'm'eans connecting said tie'rod' and said locking means and responsive to the lateral bending of the rails which takes place when a train trails the switch in either extreme position ofthe switch beforea sufficieritforcedsdeveloped at thepoints of the rails to move the closed point away from the associated fixed rail foractuating said locking means from its locking position to an unlocking position'tounlock the switch until after thetrain has'completely passed the switch;

5. In combination, a railways'witch, means for actuating said switch between its two extreme positions, means for biasing saidswitch to I the extreme position to whichit' is' moved by said switch actuating means, locking means biased to asingle locking position 'and eff'ective when the switch is moved to either extreme position by said switch actuating means for locking the switch in such extreme position, means mechanically actuated by atrain trailing theswitch in either extreme position ofthe switch for actuating said locking means; from its I locking fposi-'- tionto a position'in which the switch is unlocked untilthe train has passed the switch, and means effective if the switch ismoved from either extreme position to the otherextreme position by the trailing train for preventing theswitch from becominglocked in such other extreme position.

I 6. In combination, a railway switch, -means for actuating said switch between its two extreme positions, means for biasing said switch to the -extreme position to which it is moved by said "switch actuating I means, -1ocking means biased to a single'locking position and effective when the switch is moved to either extreme position by said switch actuating means for locking the switch in suchf'extreme" position, means mechanically-i actuated by a train trailing the sw'itch in either extreme position of the switch for actuating said locking means from its lecking position to a positionin which the switch i's 'unlockeduntil the train has passed the switch, and means controlled by the switch actuating I means and effective if the switch is moved'from either extreme position to the other extreme position by the trailing train for preventing the switch-from becoming locked-in suchzother extreme position. I

'71 In combinationwith a springswitch, means for actuating said switch between its'two extreme positions,-a:-locking plunger biased-tea lockingposition and movable to itslocking position when and 'onlywhen the switch occupies one or the other of its extreme positions andefiective when in its locking position for looking the switch in the extremepwition which it then occupies, means controlledby said switch actuating meansfor moving'said locking plunger from its locking position to an unlocking position to unlock the switch prior to movement of the switch by said switch actuating. means, means mechanically actuated by a train approaching the switch in a trailingdirection when-the. switch is locked in either extreme position by said lockp'lunger for moving said locking plunger 7% from its locking position to its ainlockingposition until after the train is completelypast the switch, and means for preventing said locking, plungerfromdoeking the switch in either extremepositi'on inthe event that the switch is moved to such" extreme position by a trailing train. g

8. In combination with a spring switch, manually operable means for moving, the switch. between its normal and reverse positions, a locking plunger movable between a locking position and an unlocking position and biased to its locking position, a lock rod' connected with the movable rails of said switch and provided with a normal notch which, is adapted to receive saidlocking plunger. when said switch occupies I its normal position and said locking plunger is moved to its locking positionand with a reverse notch which is adapted toreceive said-locking plunger when said switch occupies its reverse position and said locking plunger is movedgto its locking position, meansfor moving said locking plunger from its locking, position to its unlocking position prior to movement of said switch by said manually operable means and'for preventing said locking plunger from movingto its locking position except when said switch and said manually operable means occupy corresponding extreme positions, .and means effective when said switch is locked in either extreme position and a train starts totrail the switch for moving said locking'plungertfrom its locking position-toits unlocking position to unlock said switch until after the train is completely past the switch; a I V 9; In combination witha railway. switch, a switch actuating shaft movable between two extreme positions and operatively connected with, the-switch for moving the switch between its normal and reverse positions, a star block ro-, tatable about said shaft, means'connected with said star block forbiasing said star block to one position and for retardingmovement of said star block by said biasing means, a manually operable lever rotatable in two planes, means re-. sponsive to rotation of said lever in one of said planes for rotating said switch actuating shaft between its .two extreme positions, means responsive to rotation of said lever in the other. plane for connecting said star block to and .disconnecting it from'said switch actuating shaft, a lock rod connected with theswitch-to move therewith and-provided with a normal notch and a reverse notch, a locking plunger adapted to align with the normal notch or the reverse notch according as theswitch occupies its normal or its reverse position and biased to a locking position in which it enters one or the other of said notches, means for moving said locking plunger in. opposition to its bias to an unlocking position in whichit is out of engagement with both the normal and reverse notches whenever said star block becomes disconnected from said: switch actuating shaft, means connected with saidlocking plunger and adapted to be actuated by a train trailing the switch in either extreme position of the switch for moving said locking plunger from its looking to its unlocking position until after the train has completely passed theswitch, and means controlled by said star block for preventing said lockingplunger from moving to its looking position in the event the switch is moved from either extreme position to theother by a trailing train. I 1

10. In combination with a railway switch, a switch actuating shaft movable between two extreme positions and operatively connected with the switch for moving they switch between its normal and reverse positions, a star block ro-: tatableabout said shaft, means connected with said star'block for biasing said star blockto one position and for retarding movement of said star block by said biasing means, a manually operable lever rotatable in two planes, means responsive to rotation of said lever in one of said planes for rotating said switch actuating shaft between itstwo extreme positions, means re-, sponsive torotation of said lever in the other plane for connecting said'star block to and'disconnecting it from said switch actuating shaft, alock rod connected with the switch to move therewith and provided with a normal notch and a reverse notch, a. locking plunger adapted to align with'the normal notch or the reverse notch according as the switch occupies its normal or its reverse position and biased to a locking position in which it enters one "or the other of said notches, means for moving said locking plunger in opposition to its bias to an unlocking position in which it is out of engagement with both the normal and reverse notches whenever said star I block becomes disconnected from said switch actuating shaft, a tie rodconnecting the movable rails of the switch at a point between the heel and the point of the switch, linkage connecting said tie rod and said locking plunger and effective when the switch occupies either extreme position and a train trails the switch for moving said locking plunger from its lock? ing position to .its'unlocking position, and means controlled bysaid star block for preventing said lockingplunger from moving to its lockingpoe sitionin the event theswitch is moved from either extreme position. to the other by a trailing train. 1 11. In combination with a railway switch, a switch actuating shaft movable between two extreme positions and operatively connected with the switch for moving the switch between its normal andreverse positions, a star block rotatable about said shaft, means connected with said star block for biasing said star block to one position and for retarding movement of said star block by said biasing means, a manually operable lever rotatable in two planes, means responsive to rotation of said lever inone of said planes for rotating said switchactuating shaft between its two extreme positions, means responsive to rotation of said lever in the other plane'for connecting said star block toand disconnecting it from said switch actuating shaft, a lock rodconnected with the switch to move therewith and provided with a normal notch and a" reverse notch, a locking plunger adapted to align with the normal notch or the reverse notch according as the switch occupies its normal or its reverse position and biased to a locking position'in which it enters one or the other of said notches, means for moving said locking plunger in opposition to its bias'to an unlocking position in which it is out of engagement with both the normal andreverse notches whenever said star block becomes disconnected from said switch actuating shaft, a tie rod connecting the movable rails of the switch at a point between the heel and the point of the switch, linkage connecting said tie rod and said locking plunger in such manner that said locking plunger is free to move from its locking position to its unlocking position independently of any movement of said linkage but that when said switch occupies either extreme position and a train trails the switch the lateralbending ofthe mov. ablerails which? takes place .before suflicient force is exerted on-the movable rails to cause the'point of the movable rail which is then engaging the associated fixed rail to move out of engagement with the associated fixed rail will cause said locking plunger to move from its locking position to an unlocking position, and means controlled by said star block for preventing said locking plunger from moving to its locking position in the event that the switch is forced to an extreme position by a trailing train.

12. In combination with a spring switch, means for actuating the switch between its two extreme positions, locking mechanism for looking the switch in both of its extreme positions including a locking plunger constantly biased to a locking position,- means for moving said locking plunger from its locking position to anunlocking position prior to movement of said switch bysaid switch actuating means, a-tie rod connecting the movable rails of said switch, a cam plate operatively connected with said tie rod, and means controlled by said cam plate for moving said locking plunger from itslocking position to an unlocking position when a train trails the switch.

13. In combination with a spring .switch, means for actuating the switch between its two extreme positions, locking mechanism for looking the; switch in both of its extreme positions including a locking plunger constantly biased to a'lockingposition, means for moving said locking plunger from its locking position to an unlocking position prior to movement of said switch by said switch actuating means, a tie rod con-. necting the movable rails of said switch, a cam plate operatively-connected with said tie rod, and means controlled by said cam plate for controlling said locking plunger.

14. In combination with a spring switch,- means for actuating the switch betweenits two extreme positions, locking mechanism for i lock-" ing the switch in both of its extreme positions including ,a locking plunger constantly biased to a locking-position, means for moving said lock,- ing plunger from its lockingv position to an unlocking position prior to movement of said switch by saidiswitch actuating means, a tie rod:connectingthe movable rails of said switch, a cam plate operatively connected with said tie? rod such manner that saidqcam plate will be moved to one position or another according-as said switch is moved'to its one extreme position'or its other extreme position, said cam plate. being provided with a cam slot having an intermediate portion which is parallel to the direction of movement of said cam plate and two end portions which are inclinedto the direction of movement of said'cam plate, amember carrying a roller disposed in said cam slot for cooperation therewith, and linkage connecting said member and said locking plunger, the parts being so pro,- portioned that when said roller engages said cam slot'at either inclined end of the slot said locking plunger is free to move to its locking position but that when said roller engages said cam slot at the, intermediatestraight portion saidlocking plunger will be moved to its unlocking position by said linkage. p

15. In combination with a spring switch, means for-actuating the switch between its two extreme positions, locking mechanism for-locking the switch in both of its extreme positions including a locking plunger. constantly biased to.

a locking position, means for moving said looking plunger from its locking position to an unlocking position prior to movement of said switch by said switch actuating means, a tie rod connecting the movable rails of said switch, a cam plate operatively connected with said tie rod in such manner that said cam plate will be moved to one position or another according as said switch is moved to its one extreme position or its other extreme position, said cam plate being provided with two notches, a lever pivotally supported intermediate its ends and provided at one end with a roller which is adapted to enter the one notch when the cam plate occupies one position and the other notch when the cam plate occupies the other position, and linkage connecting said locking plunger and the free end of said lever s proportioned that said locking plunger will be prevented from moving to its locking position except when said roller enters one or the other of said notches in said cam plate. 7

16. In combination with a spring switch, means for actuating the switch between its two extreme positions, locking mechanism for locking'the switch in both of its extreme positions including a locking plunger constantly biased to a locking position, means for moving said locking plunger from its locking position to, an unlocking position prior to movement of said switch by said switch actuating means, a tie rod connecting the movable rails of said switch, a cam plate operatively connected with said tie rod in such manner that said cam plate will be moved.

to one position or another according as said switch is moved toits one extreme position or its other extreme position, said cam plate being provided with two notches, a member provided withta roller which is adapted to enter the one notch when and only when the cam plate occupics the one position and the other notch when and only when the cam plate occupies the other position, and means for connecting said member with said locking plunger in such manner that said locking plunger will be prevented from moving to its locking position except when said roller enters one 'or the other of said notches in said cam plate.

WALTER L. STOUT. 

